About Last Night...

Well, after I wrote last, we signed papers (it's officially ours). And we touched up final details (by we, I primarily mean Andy and Denton, although I did give baseboard touch up a shot). Yesterday we officially began the moving process and slept in our new home. We have Dish, so I can unpack to the new season of Project Runway. I realize that I have not included picture the last couple of blogs, but as soon as I find the camera, I'll take some and post them. FYI the shower is great!!!

Lacquering floors

Andy and Denton did a base coat on the floors and one sealer coat (Thurs. and Fri.). That stuff is pretty toxic! The guys were a little loopy even with respirators. Then Andy and I did a second sealer coat on Sat. We went in today and took off the blue tape from the baseboards. Now all that's left is...touching up baseboards, having the inspector come for final, signing of the papers, and MOVING! Hopefully by this time next week, we'll be in and have the rental cleaned up, planned for our camping trip and packing our gear. The floors are SHINY! I'll take pictures tomorrow and post them.

So close we can taste it...

We are literally down to the details. Got the garage door opener and blinds installed today. The water guy comes tomorrow (softener and RO). As I type, it is 10 pm and we are still waiting for the stain to dry on the front door (see picture). I officially have a war wound...I was stepping off the tub after cleaning the window when I came too close to the mop bucket's wheel. Andy says it looks pretty sick. Evidently, the skin under the fleshy part of my little toe is not as attached as it used to be...Andy's a good first responder. Andy prepped the floor under the fridge today, but we will begin the cleaning/sealing/lacquering process. Hope to be finished by Saturday when the Vestermarks come back through. I'd like to be moving in Sunday - Monday - Tuesday...

Of shower doors and power

We have power to the house. Some things aren't working quite right, but we'll get that ironed out. For now, ceiling fans are on and lights in small places are good. Shower doors were installed today. They look good.

You want custom???

If anyone needs rock work done, please call us about Sam. He's amazing. He did our outside and came back to do our fireplace. He built those mantel shelves out of the same wood as our cabinets and handrail. ( his shelves look better than my rail, I think) Also, our tiling adventures are almost over. We grouted the floor today, Andy tiled the instep and fixed the tub. We will grout the tub tomorrow. AND NEVER DO TILE AGAIN! I've got towel bars and toilet paper holders. Mom, the paint for the outside doors didn't work. I'm going to have to get one that looks close...the paint matching didn't work for the spray paint.

Carpet and Grout

Here are a couple of pictures of our carpet, kitchen granite, and grout on our tubs. Also, the aforementioned patio set. MB and I grouted the first shower, then Andy and I grouted the guest tub and master shower. We're still waiting for the plumber to finish for the master tub. I am almost finished with caulking the baseboards throughout. Andy and I plan to start cleaning and grouting the floor in the next couple of days.

Appliances...Lights...

Here's a picture of my vent hood and cooktop. Also, notice the lights hanging and set into the ceiling (good call to paint them Mom). We also have electrical switches. Today, we went to look for a place to sit in this beautiful house. Found some nice stuff. While we were away today, door handles are in, faucets are in, and we have toilets!!!!! We put screens on tonight when we came home to check. Got a patio set at Home Depot...some assembly required.

For Dad (Part 2 of 2)

Yesterday, Tracy and I caulked and spackled in the master closet. Today we primed and painted it. Andy got the drawer fronts on (thanks for that bottom right) and nailed/caulked in the shelf. He also started putting in the supports and rod holders. He was on a roll with the shower entry when he ran out of tile. We considered going to Vegas for more tile, but MB has graciously agreed to stop at Lowe's in Vegas to pick up a box for us. We will meet with the audio guys Wednesday morning...

For Mom (1 of 2)

For Mom - here is a better idea of the granite in the kitchen and pics of some of the baseboards. They look really nice, Denton is doing nice corners and everything... Andy went around today and filled in the nail holes with spackle and will sand them tomorrow. I will tape the tops and caulk and touch up paint.

It hasn't ALL been tough...

We did manage to have a good time. Mom and Dad would occasionally indulge us and go to dinner or "into town" - GOSH, I never thought I'd say that - for stuff. We never took a camera except for the family camping trip, so here it is!

Thank you

Andy and I have learned a lot through this experience. One of the most valuable lessons and memorable experiences has been working with Mom and Dad this past 2 months. Words cannot express our gratitude and appreciation for their hard work and enthusiasm. Here are a couple of pictures from our time together...

GRANITE

They are still working on a lot, and it was late when they left today, but I should have complete kitchen and master bath granite tomorrow. Here's the laundry, jack and jill, and upstairs area..

Tile in the bathrooms and closets... hall, jack and jill, master shower (tub still in progress) and eat your heart out, Imelda Marcos!

How things have changed...

We have so much to share. The changes are huge, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dad and Mom (MIL and FIL) - I will do a couple of posts to show pictures. Here is kitchen before and after, and stairs before and after.

How's the painting going, you ask? Exhausting... Andy is tiling, Dad is building custom closets, and Mom cuts in the edges and ceilings while I roll. Sarah supervises from the backyard. In some order, you are seeing our bedroom (temporarily a shelf painting operation), the hall bath (Andy's first tile job), part of the kitchen - with cabinets, how exciting!, and the upstairs wet bar area...

Let the Painting Commence!

So here are some pictures of the inside and out. Andy sprayed primer and the ceilings and closets. Mom and I are going to be rolling the walls for the next few days. Then cabinets are supposed to be installed next Thursday. Hopefully countertops and appliances will follow early the next week. The fence is almost complete, we're waiting to pour the driveway and get rock for the rest. I would like to get some grass in the back, but we'll see. We have an estimated closing date, but I don't want to jinx it....